Traffic signal light



Feb. 15, 1938. J. KISS 2,108,675

TRAFFIC S IGNAL LIGHT Filed July 26, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l GEAR CHANG! 5OLENOID TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT Filed July 26., 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Toagpi1i figij :5 @074 ai 7720m Feb. 15, 1938-. J. KISS 2,108,675

TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT Filed July 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q/Jw .}156 5 159 aga w W W in Figure 7.

Patented Feb. 15 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHT Joseph Kiss, River Forest, Ill.

Application July 26,

11 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a new and improved traffic signal, and more particularly to a traific signal which controls the passage of traffic at an intersection by meansv of electric light signals and, at thesame time, visually indicates the relative amount of time which any individual signal has been on in the course of a given cycle of traflic operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved traffic light signal means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide traffic control signalling means, which will automatically and .visibly indicate the relative amount of time which any one signal has been on during each cycle of traflic operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and improved electric trafiic signal to make possible a similar and more expeditious handling of traflic at traffic intersections.

Numerous other objects and advantages will more fully appear during the course and progress of the following specification.

Figure l is a cross sectional view of the top portion of a traffic light standard showing one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram of the Wiring system to be used in association with the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a modification of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

Figures 6 and '7 are crosssectional views of other preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figure 7. T

Figure 9 is a cross sectionalview of another preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a modification of the embodiment shown Figure 10 is. a schematic wiring diagram to be used in association with the modification shown in Figure 9.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises a signal housing I. The housing has a plurality of annular channels 2 for receiving the lens plates 3 of the various signal lights mounted therein. A plurality of lens retaining rings 4 are adapted to fit into the annular channels 3. A plurality of hoods 5 are fitted to the lens retaining rings 4, as shown. Inside the housing is mounted a vertical main shaft 6 which is operably held at the bottom by a bottom main bearing I and at the top by a top main bearing 8 and at the middle by a middle bearing 3. The middle bearing 3 is 1935, Serial No. 33,228

mounted on a cross support member ID. The cross support member carries a pair of intermediate supporting rods II and I2 which run through it upwardlyand downwardly parallel to the main shaft 6 and terminate at the top in a cross plate l3 and at the bottom in a cross plate l4. A driving motor I5 is mounted on the bottom of the housing I. The motor l5 operates a shaft I6 which passes through the drive shaft bearing members l1 and I8 respectively. The drive shaft bearing support member I! has two bearings I9 and 20 respectively.- The other drive shaft bearing support member l8 similarly has two bearings 2| and 22. Between the bearings l9 and 2| and mounted on the shaft I6 are two driving gears 23 and 24 respectively. An auxiliary drive shaft 25 is mounted between the bearings 23 and 22 respectively. On this auxiliary shaft 25 are mounted two auxiliary drivegears 26 and 21. These gears are mounted on a sliding collar which is slidably keyed to the shaft 25 so that these gears may be slid forwardly and backwardly along the shaft 25. When these gears are slid backwardly, gear 26 engages gear 24 and the shaft 25 is rotated at a relatively high rate of speed. When the gears are movedforward the gear 21 meshes with the gear 23 and the shaft 25 is rotated at a relatively low rate of speed. This mechanism providesa time-changing drive. Associated with the gears 26 and 21 ,is' a spring retained solenoid activated member 28 which holds the gears 26 and 21 in one position when the solenoid is not energized and moves the gears to the other position when the solenoid is energized. The energizing current for the solenoid is transmitted thereto by the electric leads 2!! and 30 respectively. A beveled gear 3| is mounted on one extremity of the shaft 25. This beveled gear 3| meshes with a beveled gear 32 mounted on the main shaft 6. The main shaft 6 also carries the beveled gears 33 and 34. A pair of commutator wheels 35 and 36 are also mounted on the main shaft 6 and rotate therewith. The commutator wheel 36 receives current through the brush member 31. The commutator wheel 35 is electrically connected to the commutator wheel 36 and has a conducting segment 38 which runs halfway around the circumference thereof and is adapted to make contact with the brush members 39 and 40 respectively. p

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 comprises a group of lamps 4|, 42, 43 and 44, these lamps being, operably associated in pairs '4! and 42 respectively and 43 and 44 respectively. The opera tive arrangement of these pairs is identical; therefore, the operation of only one pair need be described. The lamp is mounted in a socket 45. A reflector member 46 is rigidly fixed. to the socket 45. The socket 45 is rigidly fastened to a. 6. 3; 4 which is operatively mounted in a ed in the socket 56.

pair of bearings 48 and 49 respectively. The bearings 38 and 49 are mounted on the cross plate M. The shaft 471 also carries a pair of commutator rings 5i and 52. A pair of brush members 53 and 54 are mounted on the cross plate i4 and adapted to contactingly engage the commutator members 5! and 52 respectively. A beveled gear 55 is mounted on the end of the shaft 4'! and is adapted to operatively engage the beveled gear 33. Similarly, the lamp 42 is mount- A reflector member 57 is rigidly mounted to the socket 56. The socket 56 is rigidly mounted to a shaft'58. The shaft 58 is operatively mounted in a pair of bearings 69 and 6|. The bearings 68 and 6| are mounted on the cross plate l4. A pair of commutator members 62 and 63 respectively are operatively mounted on the shaft 5-8. A pair of brush members 64 and 65 respectively are mounted on the cross plate l4 and adapted to contactingly engage the commutator members 62 and 63 respectively. A beveled gear 66 is mounted on the end of the shaft 58 and is adapted to operatively engage the beveled gear 33.

When the device is in operation with the shaft 6, driven by the motor |5 as above described, the shafts 41 and 58 of the lamp pair 4| and 42 and the corresponding shafts of the lamp pair 43 and 44, will be rotated through the cooperating gears 33, 55 and 66. The lamp sockets 45 and 56, which are fast on the shafts 41 and 58, and the reflectors 46 and 51, which are fast on the sockets 45 'and 5-6, will likewise be rotated, so that the arrow-likev depressions 68 of the reflectors will be caused to circulate around the lamps. The circulation of the indicating depressions around the lamps is in timed relationship with the periods of operation of the signal lamp pairs 4|, 42 and 43, 44 because of the switching effect provided by the commutator 35. Thus circulation of the indicator depression will afford an index of the progress of the operating cycle of the signal and show relatively how long the lamps have been in operation and how soon a change will occur.

Identical reflector members are associated with each of the lamps 4|, 42, 43 and 44 respectively. Thus it is only necessary to describe specifically one such reflector. The reflector member 46, for instance, is substantially circular, as shown in Figure 2. In cross section the reflector has an elongated depression 68 which runs from one edge 69 backwardly to the center of the reflector at the point where the reflector joins the lamp socket and then curves outwardly on the other side of the lamp to a portion flush with the face of the reflector at 16. In plan this depression has a shape somewhat similar to a circle with an arrow point extending outwardly from one edge of its periphery, as is shown by the dotted lines in Figure 2. The lens retaining rings 4 are shown in plan View in Figure 2. Each of the lens retaining rings is fitted with a hinge member 12 and a plurality of keeper members 13. The keeper members 13 fit under the wing -nuts I4 whereby the lens member may be swung open and shut in order to change the lamp. The lamps in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 may be wired according to the diagram shown in Figure 3.- This shows in diagrammatic fashion the various electrical elements in the embodiment in Figure 1, as described. The lamps are indicated at 4|, 42, 43 and 44 respectively. The commutator contacts for the lamps are indicated at 62 and 63. As has been pointed out, 1 1 1 1- aioaevsl tators for the lamps 43 and 44 are similar and are shown in the drawings-at l5 and I6. The main power lines 11 and 18 pass through the fuses l9 and 86 respectively and through the switch 8| into the main lines 82 and 83. The line 83 is connected through the brush 3'! to the commutator 36. The commutator 36 is electrically connected through the connector member 84 tothe contact segment 38 on the commutator 35.

The line 85 is connected to the brush 39 and the line 86 is connected to the brush 46. The lamp 4| is connected to a current supply through the commutator members 5| and 52 respectively to the lead lines 88 and 89. Similarly, the lamp 44 is connected through the commutator members, shown diagrammatically at 16, to the leads 98 and 9| respectively. The lamp 43 similarly is connected through the commutator member, shown diagrammatically at 15, to the leads 92 and 93 and the lamp 42 is connected through the commutator members 62 and 63 respectively to the leads 94 and 95. The lamp leads, as above described, are connected ,as follows: Lead wires 88, 98, 92 and 94 are all connected to the wire 81 which is in turn connected to the wire 82. The leads 89 and 95 are connected to the wire 85. Lead wires 9| and 93 are connected to the wire 86. Thus it will be seen that lamps 4| and 42 are connected in parallel and lamps 43 and 44 are connected in parallel.

The solenoid member 28 is connected across between the lines 82 and 85. Thus it will be seen that as the commutator 36 rotates it will continuously draw current from one side of the line 23 and transmit that current to the commutator segment 38 on the commutator 36, which is also rotated with the shaft. At one point in the rotation of this commutator segment, the current flowing off of the line 23 will be transmitted to the line 85 and thereby complete the circuit to the lamps 4| and 43 causing them to light. Meanwhile the non-conducting portion of the commutator will be in contact with the brush 49; therefore, the lamps 43 and 44 will notbe lighted. As the commutator segment rotates it will eventually cease to make contact with the brush 39 and immediately begin to make contact with the brush 40 whereupon the circuit will be completed through the wire 86 to the lamps 42 and 44 causing them to light. Meanwhile the circuit through the brush 39 and the wire 45 to the lamps 4| and 42 will be broken and those lamps will go off. Since it is desirable in many instances to have one pair of lamps lighted a longer period of time than the other pair of lights, the change.

speed mechanism operating through the gears 23, 24, 26, and 21 respectively may be utilized.

This change speed gear arrangement is operated by a Solenoid which is held in one position by a spring when the solenoid is not energized and moved to the other position when the solenoid is energized. Thus it will be seen that, since the solenoid is connected in parallel with the circuit to the lamps 4| and 42, this solenoid 28 will be energized when the circuit to the lamps 4| and 42 is complete, that is to say, when the commutator segment 38 is in contact with the brush 39, the solenoid will be energized and will hold the time change gears in one position. As soon as the contact between the commutator segments '38 and 39 is broken the solenoid will cease to be energized. At that instant the spring action will urge the solenoid mechanism into the other position causing a change in the gearing ratio and consequently a change in the speed of rotation of the shaft 6. Thus the commutator segment 38 will be in contact with the brush 39 for a different length of time than it will be in contact with the brush 40.

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises a portion I in which a plurality of channels IOI are located. These channels IOI are similar to the channels 2 in Figure 1. A lens retaining ring I02 is mounted in the channels IOI in similar fashion to the mounting of the lens retaining member 4. A lens I03 is mounted in this lens retaining ring I02. Inside the housing I00 is a crossplate I04 heldin position by a supporting member I05. A socket supporting member I06 is mounted on the plate I04. A socket I01 is rigidly mounted on the member I00. The socket is formed with an annular bearingportion I08. A reflecting member I09 is rigidly mounted to a movable ring member H0. The movable ring member H0 is adapted to rotate on the bearing surface I08 of the socket I01. The outer periphery of this movable ring member IIO is fitted with teeth adapted to mesh with a rotatable gear III. The rotatable gear III mounted on the forward extremity of a shaft II2 which passes forwardly through a bearing portion of the support member I06 and engages the teeth on the movable ring member H0. A lamp H3 is mounted in the socket I01. The shaft H2 is similar to the shaft 58 in Figure l and is operated by a mechanism substantially similar'to the mechanism described in connection with Figure 1. The reflector member I09 has an inwardly disposed rim portion II5 which is adapted to fit snugly against the inner surface of the lens I03. This rim portion Il5 has a radial slot H6 which is also shown at H6 in Figure 6. The lamp in this embodiment is electrically connected to the wiring in the signal light by fixed connections rather than through commutators. In all other respects it is wired according to the diagram shown in Figure 3.

It will be seen that as the shaft II! is rotated by the operating mechanism, the movable ring member IIO will be rotated and the reflector I09 which is rigidly mounted thereon will be correspondingly rotated. Thus the inwardly disposed rim portion N5 of the reflector member will ride against the inside of the lens portion and the radially disposed slot IIB thereof will move around the circumference of the lens. The rim portion II5 will create a circumferentially disposed dark portion on the outer periphery of the lens leaving a smaller lighted portion of the lens visible inside thereof. As the slot II6 moves around the outer circumference of the lens the light from the lamp H3 will shine through the slot and provide a moving bar of light around the outer periphery of the lens. Since the movement of the reflector portion is geared to the main operating mechanism, as described in connection with Figure 1, the slot I IE will make one complete trip around the outer circumference of the lamp during each revolution of the main driving shaft so that it will indicate icy-its position around when the lamp is lit.

and does not have the rim II5 of Figure 4, the relative time in which the lamp is on or off being indicated by the position of the arrow-shaped depression in the lens, as described in connection with Figures 1 and 2. v

The embodiment shown in Figure7 is similar to the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 6, having a reflector member II8 which is adapted to be rotated about a stationary collar member H9 on the lamp socket similar to the collar member H0 in Figure 4. The lens IIO, however, in this embodiment is provided with an outwardly extending radial rim portion I20 which is fitted with a single hole Hi. The single hole corresponds somewhat to the slot portion I I0, shown in Figure 4, and revolves about the outer circumference of the lens in a fashion similar to the slot I I0 in Figure 4. -'A plurality of small auxiliary lamps I22 are mounted on a plurality of brackets circumferentially around the outside of the reflector I I0 and are electrically connected to the lamp circuit in parallel with the lamp I24 so as to be lighted Thus during the cycleof the traflic signal when the lamp I20 is lit, the lamps I22 will be lit and the reflector member IIB will rotate about the axis of the lamp I24. The hole I2I in the rim I20 of the reflector I III will rotate circumferentially around the outer periphery of the edge successively coming opposite various of the lamps I22 thereby indicating the length of time which the lamp has been on by showing a. visible spot of light progressively at different positions around the periphery of the lamp during each cycle of its operation. When the lamp I24 is not lit this indicator mechanism will not be visible by reason of the fact that the lamps I22 are not lit. The reflector member I I0 is rotated by the gear I25 on the shaft I26. The shaft I26 is connected to a main driving shaft I2'I in similar fashion to that described in connection with Figure l. The wiring circuit of this embodiment is substantially similar to the wiring circuit shown in Figure 3 except that the lamps I23 are connected in parallel with the lamp I26 andthe lamp I20 is in turn connected directly to the main connection wires of the circuit rather than being connected through commutator members, as was discussed in connection with Figure 3. I

The embodiment shown in Figure 9 is substantially similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 7 except that. the reflector membar I 20 and the socket member I29 are rigidly mounted to the framework of the signal light through the bracket member IN. The reflector member, however, is provided with a plurality of 'circumferentially disposed socket portions Iii in which are mounted a plurality of auxiliary lamps I32. In this embodiment the reflector does not move nor do the lamps I32 move. Instead these lamps are connected through a multiple phase make and break circuit so that the lamps are momentarily in successive order around the periphery-of the reflector whereby to indicate the relative amount of time which the lamp to which they are associated has been lit. 'The wiring of this particular embodiment is substantially similar to the wiring of the previous embodiments except for some modifications. A schematic wiring diagram of this embodiment has been shown in Figure 10 for the sake of greater clarity-in description. In this diagram an eight-light circuit has been shown, the lamps being shown at I33, I; I35, I20, m, I33, I39 and I80 respectively. There in reality only two separate circuits in this diagram, the lamps m3, E33, @35 and 8% respectively being connected in parallel and being operable together, the lamps E31, we, use and Mil being connected together in parallel and being operable together. The circuit is connected to a main source of power through the lines Ni and M2. The line it? is connected to a main lead M3. All the signal lamps are connected on one side to this circuit. One group of signal lamps are connected to the line M5, the other group of the signal lamps being connected on their other side to the line M5. The lines EM and M5 are connected through a make and break commutator device M5 to the other power line Hi. This make and break mechanism M6 is substantially similar to the commutator make and break system, shown in Figure 3 at Nos. 35 and 36, and described in connection therewith.

There are a plurality of auxiliary indicator lamps H32 in connection with each signal lamp. One side of the auxiliary signal lamps is connected through a multiple line trunk system M1 to a multiple position make and break device MB. This multiple position make and break device is of convention design and is connected on its other side through the line M3 and thence to the main power line M2. It will be noted that this make and break side of all the auxiliary lamp circuits, associated respectively with all the auxiliary signal lamps, is connected directly to the make and break mechanism MB. This make and break mechanism M8 is power driven by the same power means which drives the make and break mechanism Hit. The other side of the auxiliary lamp system m2 is connected to the other power line Mi through the make and break system M6, that is to say, those auxiliary lamps associated with one group of signal lamps are connected through the line M5 whereas the other auxiliary lamps associated with the other group of signal lamps are connected through the line Md. Thus it will be seen that the auxiliary lamps will only be on when their respective signal lamps are on by reason of being connected through the contact portion of the make and break mechanism M6, the other group being at that time ofi. At the same time only one of each group of auxiliary lamps will be on at a time by reason of being connected on their other side through the make and break mechanism 1% thereby indicating the relative time which the lamp with which they are associated has been on during each cycle of operation of the signal lamp.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the form herein described being a preferred embodiment for the purpose of illustrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. A traffic signal comprising a lamp, a reflector mounted behind said lamp, said reflector having a' circular peripheral margin and said lamp being mounted concentrically with respect to said margin, means to energize the lamp for operation throughout a predetermined interval during the operating cycle of the signal, said lamp being inactive during a succeeding portion of said operating cycle, said reflector comprising a rotatable dished element, said reflector being mounted in position with respect to the lamp and shaped to reflect light from said lamp forwardly, means to rotate the reflector about an axis locatedcentrally of said peripheral margin, and means carried by and rotating with said reflector and operable to provide a visible index circulating about the lamp and aifording a visual indication of the progress of the operating cycle of the signal.

2. A traii'ic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lamp is rigidly mounted in its associated reflector and rotates therewith.

3. A traffic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lamp is stationarily mounted in said signal and its associated refiectorrotates about the .axis of the lamp.

4. A traflic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector has an outstanding annular flange formed with a perforation and a series of circularly arranged timing lamps disposed behind said outstanding annular flange and supported in position to be progressively exposed through said perforation during the rotation of said reflector in timed relationship with respect to the operating cycle of the signal.

5. A tramc signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reflector is formedwith an annular flange having an opening whereby light rays originating from said lamp may penetrate the opening of the flange to furnish a visual indication of l the progress of the operating cycle of the signal.

6. A traflic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is formed with an eccentric ellipsoidal depression extending radially in said rehector. 1

7. A traffic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector has a radially extending depression formed therein.

8. A trafiic signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector formed with a depression which is enlarged in the area about the center of said reflector adjacent said lamp, said depression having an arm extending radially out.- wardly and terminating adjacent the peripheral edge of said reflector. 1

9. A tramc signal as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflector is formed with means extending therein radially with respectv to said lamp'and adapted for illumination by said lamp to indicate the stage of progress of the rotation of said reflector.

10. A traflic signal comprising a lamp holder, journal means in which said lamp holder is rotatably mounted, and reflector means rigidly med to said lamp holder means and adapted to rotate therewith, said reflector means being of substantially concave configuration and having means formed therein and extending radially of said lamp holder for indicating the stage of progressin the rotation of said reflector.

11. A tramc signal as set' forth in claim 1, wherein the reflector is formed with an inwardly extending flange at' its rim, s'aid flange being formed with a radially extending slot.

' JOSEPH KISS. 

